An out-of-control steamroller took the life of a CEDAE employee in Macaé. The machine rolled down a hill without brakes, causing a fatal accident. The exclusive video reveals the moment of the tragedy.
On the afternoon of May 15, 2024, a accident involving a steamroller resulted in the tragic death of an employee of the Rio de Janeiro State Water and Sewage Company (CEDAE), in Macaé. The accident occurred in the Granja dos Cavaleiros neighborhood and was recorded by a surveillance camera. The video, obtained exclusively by Macaé News, shows the moment when the steamroller descends uncontrolled down a hill, colliding with a car and hitting the 61-year-old worker.
CEDAE Employee Dies in Accident with Compressor Roller in Macaé
The employee of CEDAE was performing a maintenance service when he was hit by the runaway steamroller. The machine, apparently without brakes, descended the hill at high speed and could not be controlled in time. The worker was unable to escape and, unfortunately, died at the scene due to injuries caused by the impact.
Watch the video of the accident below:
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According to witnesses, the steamroller was in poor condition and without adequate maintenance. “Machines without maintenance sometimes do not have a qualified operator. What’s cheap one day is expensive,” commented a local resident. Another testimony reinforced the need for care with heavy equipment: “Machines that require maintenance or are defective must be transported with a winch or platform trailer. Easy to investigate and find the culprit/responsible.”
The accident caused great commotion in community of Macaé. Residents and co-workers of the victim expressed sadness and outrage at the situation. “I imagine the despair of whoever was driving the vehicle. I don't blame the victim, in times of despair I would have the same reaction as him. I would run into the house”, said one of the residents who witnessed the tragedy. The house hit by the steamroller also suffered considerable damage.
Local authorities and CEDAE opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident. Inadequate maintenance of the steamroller and lack of operator training are some of the hypotheses being analyzed. The objective is to identify those responsible and prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
Importance of Heavy Equipment Maintenance
The tragedy in Macaé highlights the importance of regular maintenance of heavy equipment, such as steamrollers, used in infrastructure works. Lack of maintenance can result in serious mechanical failures, putting the lives of workers and passersby at risk. Additionally, it is crucial that heavy machinery operators receive adequate training to deal with emergency situations and operate equipment safely.
The steamroller is an essential machine in construction, mainly used to compact soil and asphalt in paving works. Its function is to ensure that the base of roads and other paved surfaces is solid and uniform, preventing structural problems in the future. However, due to its weight and power, safe steamroller operation requires constant attention to maintenance and rigorous operator training.
Safety Measures for the Operation of Compressor Rollers
To avoid accidents like the one that occurred in Macaé, it is essential that companies and authorities adopt strict safety measures. Among the recommendations are:
- Regular Maintenance: Carry out periodic inspections and preventive maintenance of equipment.
- Operator Training: Ensure all operators have appropriate certification and training.
- Use of Appropriate Equipment: Transport defective machines or those requiring maintenance using winches or platforms.
- Proper Signage: Implement clear signage in work areas to warn of the presence of heavy machinery.
Adopting these measures can save lives and avoid tragedies like the one that killed the CEDAE employee in Macaé. The community hopes that the ongoing investigation will result in concrete actions to improve workplace safety and protect workers from future accidents.